Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Dawkins, Richard C., ca. 1834-ca. 1890. Diary, 1861-1865. 1 volume.
Call No.
Mss. A D271 vault
Content
The Civil War diary of Union soldier Richard C. Dawkins, an officer in Company B, 6th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, most likely written near the end or shortly after the completion of his military service. Dawkins' regiment organized in Kentucky in the fall of 1861 (p. 1-2), and returned to the area in the fall of 1862 in pursuit of the Confederates under General Braxton Bragg (p. 17-22). Early entries in the diary describe movements of the company after they are mustered into service, including guarding a Louisville and Nashville Railroad bridge in Shepherdsville (p. 1-2). Later entries describe the pursuit of Bragg's army in the fall of 1862 (p. 17-22). Dawkins describes the people's enthusiastic response to his regiment's return to the state (p. 17), and the movements of his regiment to engage Bragg (p. 17-19). He also writes about the Battle of Perryville, arguing that Bragg's army could have been destroyed if his division had been permitted to advance and engage the enemy (p. 19); describes further skirmishes following Perryville until the rebels retreat through the Cumberland Gap (p. 19-20); describes the region around Camp Wildcat in Laurel County, Kentucky (p. 20); mentions the abundance of apple brandy in the region surrounding Somerset, Kentucky (p. 21); and describes his difficulties rejoining his regiment in Nashville after leave in Louisville (p. 21-22).